Tape applicator



Oct. 1, 1968 J. F. FINK, JR

TAPE APPLICATOR Filed Ma v21, 1965 INVEN TOR JOHN F|NK,JR.

ATTDRNEYS BY $22k 411/276 Mrdz United States Patent 3,404,058 TAPE APPLICATOR John F. Fink, Jr., 15407 Compton Road, Centreville, Va. 22020 Filed May 21, 1965, Ser. No. 457,735 1 Claim. (Cl. 156-527) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a tape applicator of a type for dispensing double faced pressure tape. The body member has a flat lower surface and an arcuate upper surface. The tape holder is aflixed to the body to receive and hold the reel of tape, which is to be dispensed. Tape guiding means, consisting of rollers are affixed to the body to form a pathway for the tape from the supply means. At least one of the tape guiding means is disposed adjacent the forward upper edge of the body. A plurality of pressure rollers are located near the front and rear of the body, each of said rollers comprising grooved sealers afiixed to the body near the flat surface thereof and extend therebeneath. The roller near the forward end of the body consists of a pressure applicator roller. The tear plate assembly is affixed to the body and spaced from the forward pressure roller. An arcuate finger plate carried by the tear plate assembly extends into proximity with the forward pressure roller by penetrating one of its grooves. A palm-conforming holding plate is affixed to the arcuate surface of the body and has a length less than that of the body.

The present invention relates to an improved tape applicator of the type particularly adapted for applying double faced pressure tape.

The device of the present invention includes a body to which are affixed a tape holder means, tape guiding means, roller means and a cambination pressure plate and serrated tearing edge along with a palm-conforming gripping plate. The preferred shape of the body portion is fiat along the bottom or lower surface thereof and arcuate along the upper surface. The preferred material is aluminum or plastic and the body measures approximately 5 inches in length, 3 inches in height, and has a thickness of the order of inch. To this body plate are afiixed all of the other components, namely, a spindle for holding the tape reel, knurled aluminum rollers to serve as tape guides, and grooved plastic rollers, such as Teflon. Preferably a single grooved roller is deployed near the front end of the body to serve as the main applicator means. A curved finger is afiixed to the body and extends into one of the grooves of the pressure applicator to preclude tape jam. Adjacent to but forward of the pressure roller there is provided a pressure plate and serrated edge tearer.

The rear rollers are also preferably of similar construction to the pressure roller and serve the purpose of sealing the tape when further sealing is warranted.

A palm-conforming arcuate fiat thin plate preferably of aluminum is aifixed to the upper arcuate surface and indented to receive one or more fingers. However, this plate does not extend to the forward edge of the body but is located about A" from the forward shoulder of the body. This is designed to permit the forefinger to apply pressure to the shoulder which is directed against the shoulder. However, it is also significant to note that one of the tape guides is disposed adjacent to the shoulder in order that the index finger may be shifted to place the tape against the guide thereby permitting tearing of the tape along the serrated edge.

With the foregoing in mind it is an object of the in- 9 posed slightly above the 5 onto surface 17, as

3,404,058 Patented Oct. 1, 1968 "ice vention to provide a tape applicator which is capable of applying both single and double faced pressure tapes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such an applicator capable of applying pressure to the tape as it is applied.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an inexpensive but effective tape applicator in which the tape may be held by the index finger for tearing operation, and

It is a further object of the invention to provide such an applicator with additional pressure rollers for effecting furlther sealing of the tape without demounting the tape ree The invention will be further described in connection with the drawings in which FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the invention with a typical users hand in dashed outline, and FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the device of FIG. 1 and also showing in dashed outline the approximate angle of the device to the horizontal (or vertical) for starting the tape application.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a body 10 having a flat lower surface 10 and an arcuate upper surface 10".

Tape supply mounting means are shown in the form of the screw 12 and associated washer 13. The tape mounting means supports the tape reel 15 to provide a supply of tape to be applied to a surface, such as 17. The tape 19 leaves the reel 15 and passes underneath a knurled aluminum journal 21 affixed to the body 10 by a screw 25 and washer 26. A further knurled journal is provided through similar structure by screw 27 and Washer 28. The tape path then extends around the grooved roller 30 which actually constitutes the main pressure roller for the tape. Similar pressure rollers are provided at the rear of the body 10 on either side thereof, as is evidenced by the visible roller assembly 35.

A combination pressure plate and tear edge assembly 37 is adjustably aifixed to the forward edge of the body 10. As may be seen from FIG. 2 the assembly 37 is disbottom of the pressure roller 30. It also includes an arcuate finger plate 38 which extends into one of the grooves of the roller 30 to provide a pathway from the roller 20 to the tear and pressure plate assembly 37. The latter includes a vertical plate 40 which has a widened or right angle lower base 41 which, of course, may be integral or separate. The forward edge of the base 41 includes the serrations 42 for tearing the tape.

A thin plate 50 of aluminum or other suitable material serves as a convenient holding means for the applicator as may be seen from the dotted hand 51. The index finger 52 rides on the shoulder 53 of the body 10 thereby applying pressure between the tape 19 and sur face 17 by way of pressure roller 30. At the same time, the second finger fits the curvature 61 and the third finger fits the curvature behind the projection 64. The fourth and fifth fingers simply grip the trailing edge portions of the plate 50.

With the tape threaded as shown, the applicator is slightly upended to the position illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 2. This permits the pressure edge 41 to cause the tape initially to stick to the surface 17. Then by bringing the applicator toward the horizontal position pressure is applied from roller 30 to the tape and it may be stripped desired. When a sufficient length of tape has been applied the index finger 52 is simply moved over to apply pressure to the tape 19 at the tape guide represented by the screw and washer assembly 27 and 28. This stops the tape winding and permits it to be cut by the serrated edge 42 by upending the applicator and twisting it.

In the event the tape has not adhered properly throughout its length the pressure rollers 35 are employed as an auxiliary pressure sealing means simply by upending the applicator in the opposite direction than that illustrated in FIG. 2 and rolling the applicator along the tape length. It will be appreciated that this operation does not require removal of the tape supply.

What is claimed is:

1. A tape applicator of a type for dispensing double faced pressure tape comprising in combination a body member having a flat lower surface and an arcuate upper surface; tape holder means afiixed to the body to receive and hold a reel of tape to be dispensed; tape guiding means comprising rollers atfixed to the body to form a pathway for the tape from the supply means; at least one of the tape guiding means being disposed adjacent to the forward upper edge of the body; a plurality of pressure rollers each comprising grooved sealers affixed to the body near the fiat surface thereof to extend therebeneath; said rollers being distributed near the forward and rear ends of the body; the roller near the forward end of the body comprising a pressure applicator roller; a tear plate assembly affixed to the body and spaced from the forward pressure roller; an arcuate finger plate carried by the tear plate assembly and extending into proximity with the forward pressure roller by penetrating one of its grooves; and a palm-conforming holding plate affixed to the arcuate surface of the body and having a length less than that of the body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,044,190 11/1912 Kohart 156526 2,368,262 1/1945 Oftedahl et al. 156-52=6 3,156,603 11/1964 Robinson 156577 DOUGLAS J. DRUMMOND, Primary Examiner, 

